Outside linebacker Bradley Chubb (55) of the Denver Broncos sacks quarterback Philip Rivers (17) of the Los Angeles Chargers with 3 seconds left in the first half at the StubHub Center Nov. 18, 2018 in Carson, Calif.

1. The stage for the Broncos’ game-winning drive was set up by a miscue by Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers. On third-and-7 at the two-minute warning, Rivers threw incomplete when the Broncos had the receiver screen covered. The clock stopped at 1:58 and the Broncos got possession back at 1:51. Had Rivers simply taken a knee, an additional 40 seconds would have expired. “I was really happy and excited,” coach Vance Joseph said of Rivers’ incompletion.

Joe Amon, The Denver Post

Outside linebacker Bradley Chubb (55) of the Denver Broncos zeros in on quarterback Philip Rivers (17) of the Los Angeles Chargers during the game at the StubHub Center Nov. 18, 2018 in Carson, California.

2. The Broncos rushed five or more players on 11 of Rivers’ 45 drop-backs. The rate of 24.4 was third-lowest of the year, behind 21.4 (Seattle, Week 1) and 22.6 (Kansas City, Week 4). The three sacks all came in the first half – defensive end Adam Gotsis (4.33 seconds) and linebackers Von Miller (2.27) and Bradley Chubb (2.78).

Joe Amon, The Denver Post

Quarterback Case Keenum (4) at the line in the second half of the Broncos’ win over the Los Angeles Chargers at the StubHub Center Nov. 18, 2018 in Carson, California.

3. The Chargers played a rush-four-and-cover game. Los Angeles rushed at least five players on only three of quarterback Case Keenum’s 35 drop-backs. The 8.6 percent was a season low vs. Keenum, well behind 14.6 percent by Seattle (six of 41).

Joe Amon, The Denver Post

Outside linebacker Von Miller (58) of the Denver Broncos is off to the races after his interception in the second half at the StubHub Center Nov. 18, 2018 in Carson, California.

4. Los Angeles extended its lead to 19-7 when tight end Antonio Gates caught a six-yard touchdown pass. At the snap, linebacker Josey Jewell was playing inside of Gates, perhaps to defend a crossing pattern. Gates, though, ran a corner route for the score. On their next drive, the Chargers reached the Broncos’ 35 and looked to put the game away but Miller intercepted a Rivers pass and returned it 42 yards. On the takeaway, safety Will Parks and cornerback Chris Harris blitzed. Rivers threw in 1.10 seconds and right to Miller, who read the linemen’s movement to block for a screen and stayed at home — and right between Rivers and intended receiver Travis Benjamin.

Joe Amon, The Denver Post

Wide receiver Courtland Sutton (14) of the Denver Broncos takes a pass into field goal range late in the fourth quarter at the StubHub Center Nov. 18, 2018 in Carson, California.

5. Keenum made the throws, but the Broncos’ skill players did plenty of work post-catch. Of Keenum’s 205 yards passing, 118 (57.6 percent) came after the catch. Courtland Sutton led the Broncos with 45 yards after the catch, followed by Emmanuel Sanders (30) and Phillip Lindsay (27). On the game-winning drive, Sanders had a 38-yard catch (26 YAC) and Sutton had a 30-yard catch (14 YAC).

Joe Amon, The Denver Post

Running back Phillip Lindsay of the Denver Broncos finds a hole in the second half of their game over at StubHub Center on Nov. 18, 2018 in Carson, Calif.

6. Lindsay’s two-yard touchdown run gave the Broncos a 20-19 lead with 12:17 remaining. But he set up the score on the previous play. On third-and-3 from the Chargers 8, Lindsay caught Keenum’s pass behind the line of scrimmage but gained six yards thanks to his patience and downfield blocks by Sutton and receiver Tim Patrick.

Offensive tackle Garett Bolles (72) of the Denver Broncos working in the second half at the StubHub Center Nov. 18, 2018 in Carson, California.

8. The Broncos did not allow a sack for the first time since last November against New England (a 41-16 loss). The reconfigured offensive line did great work. Right guard Elijah Wilkinson allowed a pressure and fullback Andy Janovich, left tackle Garett Bolles and right tackle Jared Veldheer each allowed a knockdown. The second pressure was an unblocked Chargers player.

9. Los Angeles was committed to the running game but did not have much success. The Chargers rushed 26 times for 95 yards (3.7-yard average). The Broncos had 15 run “stuffs” (gain of three or fewer yards). Chubb and Davis had three “stuffs” apiece and Gotsis had two.

Jayne Kamin-Oncea, Getty Images

Quarterback Case Keenum of the Denver Broncos makes a pass in the third quarter at StubHub Center on Nov. 18, 2018 in Carson, Calif.

10. It’s back to the drawing board for the Broncos super-short passing game. On attempts that did not cross the line of scrimmage, Keenum was 7 of 10 for only 37 yards. Defenses have zeroed in on the concepts and the Broncos did not block make the initial block well enough to allow the receiver to turn up the field.

In the latest First-and-Orange podcast episode, Broncos beat writers Ryan O’Halloran and Kyle Fredrickson break down Denver's priorities over its final two games eliminated from playoff contention. Topics include: Is a Vance Joseph firing inevitable? Which players have the most to prove Monday night against the Raiders? What led to this lackluster season?

I'm going to go against the grain and make the case to keep Vance Joseph for one more season. Last year, the Broncos were rarely competitive. This season, they were a few plays here and there from being 9-4. VJ has shown tremendous growth as a head coach. Last season's Broncos were marred by holding penalties, delay of games, too...